Greenpeace Uses SMS To Monitor Forest Destruction

The article discusses how Greenpeace is using mobile phone technology for environmental activism in Argentina. This includes using Short Message Service (SMS) in campaigns and activities both to receive information from local activists on the ground and also to mobilise supporters in the cities. Greenpeace has provided indigenous people with mobile phones so that they can text for help when their lands are under attack from developers. According to Greenpeace, SMS is the most accessible method for indigenous people as in most cases they don't have landlines or access to electricity.

For example, the Pizarro reserve is home to an indigenous group called the Wichi who have protested that encroachment on their native forests would drive them from their habitats. Alerted by SMS by the Wichi to "imminent destruction" from loggers that would threaten rare trees, jaguars and other forest animals, activists travelled to the area by motorbike where they locked on to the bulldozers in an attempt to halt the destruction. While the bulldozer drivers called the land owners who alerted the police, the indigenous people sent SMS to warn the Greenpeace activists when the police were coming so they had enough time to decide what to do - who would stay and be arrested and who will escape with the pictures and video footage.



Greenpeace in Argentina are launching a campaign in January 2006 to recruit 5,000 mobile activists that can be called upon to respond to situations. The campaign will also include publicity material and a weekly cable television show. The campaign hopes to recruit a further 100,000 cyber activists to the 300,000 already registered with Greenpeace. The weekly 30-minute show will use local celebrities such as intellectuals, pop stars, actresses, journalists and actors to present the programme who have been involved as witness to actions. The show will include a feedback section with questions sent by SMS and the answers provided on the television programme. SMS messages from viewers will also be displayed as an onscreen ticker during the TV programme.